Packaging unit

ABSTRACT

A packaging unit consisting of a plate member folded in zigzag fashion to form a plurality of superposed leaves which, except for the top and bottom leaves, are perforated with vertically penetrating holes collectively defining a deep bore used as a receptacle of an article. The inner portion of each leaf is additionally provided with inwardly extending projections for contacting the article disposed within the receptacle.

United States Patent [191 Sato et a1.

[ PACKAGING UNIT [75] Inventors: Masatoshi Sato; Katuo Umemura;

Yoshino ri Kamata, all of Yokohama, Japan [73] Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan [22] Filed: May 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 365,238

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 1, 1972 Japan 47-54522 [52] US. Cl. 206/521; 206/486; 206/491; 229/14 C [51] Int. Cl. B65D 81/16; B65D 85/36 [58] Field of Search 206/329, 334, 424, 485,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,476,197 7/1949 Kincaid 229/14 C 2,782,911 2/1957 Fisher 206/47 2,804,202 8/1957 Davis 206/456 2,805,810 9/1957 Butz 229/14 C 1 Dec. 23, 1975 2,867,367 1/1959 Butz 229/14 C 2,878,982 3/1959 Gariepy 229/14 C 2,978,163 4/1961 Anderson, Jr 229/14 C 3,142,918 8/1964 Offensend et a1.... 40/64 3,216,558 11/1965 Marsh 206/1.5 3,297,341 1/1967 Reed et al.... 281/34 3,567,103 3/1971 Seifert 206/72 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,088,422 9/1960 Germany 229/14 C 733,695 7/1955 United Kingdom 576,470 3/1958 Italy 229/14 C Primary Examiner-William I. Price Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Bernstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oblon, Fisher, Spivak, McClelland & Maier [57] ABSTRACT A packaging unit consisting of a plate member folded in zigzag fashion to form a plurality of superposed leaves which, except for the top and bottom leaves, are perforated with vertically penetrating holes collectively defining a deep bore used as a receptacle of an article. The inner portion of each leaf is additionally provided with inwardly extending projections for contacting the article disposed within the receptacle.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 US. Patent I Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet20f4 3,927,767

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k t r :1 3m EN 2: E vi 0% 21 on US. Patent Dec.23, 1975 Sheet3of4 3,927,767

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SPECIFICATlON modet BC-162i FIG.5

U.S. Patfint Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet4 of4 3,927,767

OPERATION 1 Laddliion and subtraction PACKAGING UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a packaging unit for receiving a relatively small article, for example, an electronic desktop calculator which is readily affected by vibrations or shocks.

Articles such as electronic desk-top calculators, small electronic apparatuses or electric appliances are generally received in a case lined with a buffer material generally made of polystyrene foam so as to be protected from vibrations or shocks to which they may be subjected during transportation. Since, in this case, the case and buffer material constitute separate members, the wrapping of the above-mentioned articles consumes considerable time and labor and their removal from the packaging unit and their storage therein after use are also accompanied with troublesome work. One of the shortcomings of the prior art package is that its dismemberment results in a large amount of waste material. Further where the buffer material of the package consists of polystyrene foam, combustion of said package after thrown away causes the polystyrene foam to give forth sufficiently high heat to damage a burning furnace and also a great deal of cinder and harmful gases to be produced. Particularly the latter event poses an important problem from the standpoint of eliminating public nuisances resulting from waste material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide a packaging unit of simple construction which facilitates packaging work and presents a prominent buffering action.

The packaging unit of this invention is formed of a single plate member folded in zigzag fashion to form a plurality of superposed leaves which are perforated with vertically penetrating holes collectively defining a deep bore used as a receptacle of an article. The top and/or bottom leaves are free from a hole so as to be used as the lids of the packaging unit.

The packaging unit of this invention which is formed of a single plate member attains a simpler and more efficient packaging work than the prior art package which is built of a case and buffer material used separately. Further, the present packaging unit itself not only acts as a case but also as a buffer material.

On one of the intermediate leaves may be indicated an explanatory note on the article received in the packaging unit, thereby eliminating the necessity of placing a pamphlet giving such explanation therein. Further, depending on the number and volume of attachments to the main article, the intermediate leaves may be perforated with another group of vertically penetrating holes for reception of the attachments.

Moreover, a plate member consisting of a corrugated paper board can eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks accompanying the prior art package using polystyrene foam as a buffer material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging unit according to an embodiment of this invention with the cover opened;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same when it is closed;

FIG. 3 is an expansion view of a plate member constituting the packaging unit of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the plate member folded in zigzag fashion;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fractional plan views of the particular leaves of the packaging unit where their outer surfaces are exposed; and

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 6 collectively present a packaging unit 10 for receiving an electronic desk-top calculator 11 and attachments thereto. The packaging unit 10 consists of a single corrugated paper board 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) folded in zigzag fashion to form a plurality of superposed leaves 13a to 13h bearing substantially the same shape. These leaves are connected to each other by the folded edges 14a to 14g as later described. The leaves, except for the top and bottom ones 13a and 13h, are bored with vertically penetrating holes 15a to 15f so as to collectively define a hollow space matching the outline of a calculator being received therein. The plate member 12 may be made of a card board or polystyrene board in place of a corrugated paper board.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, before a plate member 12 is folded in zigzag fashion, notches 16 are cut out in the edges 14a to 14g alternately on the upper wall 17a and lower wall 17b of the plate member 12, such that an uncut portion is left on the respective opposite walls of said plate member 12. The leaves 13a to 13h are connected by the uncut portions, and the direction in which the plate member 12 is folded to form the leaves 13a to 13h is defined by those sides of the plate member 12 in which the notches 16 are cut out. The vertically penetrating holes 15a to 15f bored in the respective intermediate leaves 13b to 13g bear a symmetrical relationship with respect to the linear notches I6 intervening between the bored leaves, so that when all the bored leaves are superposed on each other, the penetrating holes 15a to 15f are aligned in the direction of the height of a deep bore defined jointly by said holes 15a to 15f.

The intermediate leaves 13b to 13g of the plate member 12 respectively bored with the vertically penetrating holes 15a to 15f collectively act as a support member for keeping, for example, a calculator 11 safely in place. The nonbored top and bottom leaves 13a and 13h serve as lids to close the upper and lower openings of the deep bore. The top and bottom leaves 13a and 13h acting aslids are enclosed in a single cover 18 made of, for example tough paper. The cover 18 is provided at both ends with a bag portion 19, which receives the free end of each of said top and bottom lids 13a and 13h. The intermediate portion of the cover 18 extends over one group of folded edges 14a, 140, Me and 14g disposed on one side of the packaging unit 10 so as to wrap the outer wall of the lids 13a and 13h, as well as one of the side walls of the packaging unit 10. Just like a book, the leaves 13a to 13h are fastened together on one side of the packaging unit 10, and every two adjacent leaves connected by the uncut portion therebetween are free to be opened or closed on the opposite side of the packaging unit 10 (FIG. 4).

3 Where the calculator 1 1 received in the packaging unit is not used, the unit 10 is closed with the calculator stored therein and wound with a detachable fastening band (FIG. 2).

The prescribed intermediate leaves are bored with holes to receive attachments to the calculator 11. For example, the intermediate leaf 13b is perforated with a hole 22 to receive a pencil 21, the intermediate leaves 13d to 13f with holes 24a to 24c to hold can eraser 23, the intermediate leaves 13a to 13g with holes 27a to 27d to hold a charger and cord 26, and the intermediate leaf 130 with an escapement hole 28 for the cord 26. When the intermediate leaves are superposed, the above-mentioned holes define hollow spaces to receive the corresponding attachments Each of the penetrating holes 15 has a plurality of projections 29 parallel with the folded edge 14 which extend toward the center of the hole 15 from the inner walls of both lengthwise sides of the hole 15. These projections 29 are intended to reduce external shocks and vibrations and keep the calculator safely in place.

The outer walls of both crosswise sides of the intermediate leaves 13 perpendicular to the folded edges 14 are partly notched to form other projections 30 perpendicular to the aforesaid projections 29. These other projections 30 act to absorb external shocks and vibrations as do the aforesaid projections 29. Of the latter projections, those formed on the intermediate leaves 13b and 130, those on the intermediate leaves 13d and Be and those on the intermediate leaves 13f and 13g are aligned in pairs in the direction of the height of the packaging unit 10, whereas the projections 30 formed on the intermediate leaves 130 13d and 13s l3fare displaced from the other projections when the leaves are superposed, so that the user can easily touch the displaced projections with his fingers in opening the packaging unit 10.

The exposed surfaces of the projections 30 on the intermediate leaves 13b, 13d and 13f bear numerical indices 31 denoting the order in which the leaves are turned over. This arrangement enables the user to open the paired intermediate leaves in the order of the numerical indices by gripping the projections 30 while looking at the indices. I

A free space on the upper surface of the prescribed intermediate leaves 13 is printed, for example, with the specification and explanatory note regarding the electronic calculator. Or a sheet of paper giving the particulars of the calculator is pasted to said free space. On the upper surface of the intermediate leaf 13b is described the specification 32 of the calculator 11 including, for example, the type of the machine, the number of digits handled thereby, the type of arithmetic operation carried out thereon and power consumption (FIG. 5). Referring to FIG. 6, explanatory notes 33 including, for example, the procedure of arithmetic operation and directions for handling are set forth on the upper surface of the intermediate leaf 13d. Accordingly, required information can be obtained from the leaves as they are turned over, eliminating the necessity of inserting separate pamphlets as has been the case with the prior art package. Since the printing of required information or the pasting of a sheet of paper giving such information can be effected during manufacture of the package unit 10, the wrapping of, for example, a calculator is simplified. Though not shown, the aforesaid fastening band 20 may also be printed with the commercial name and type of a machine received in the package unit 10.

Where the electronic desk-top calculator 11 and attachments thereto are stored in the packaging unit 10, the intermediate leaf 132 is first opened. Then the calculator 11 is put in the hole 15e, the eraser 23 in the hole 24c, and the charger 25 and cord 26 in the hole 270. Later when the package unit 10 is closed up to the leaf 13b, the calculator 11 is securely set in placeby being pressed by the projections'29, and the eraser 23, charger 25 and cord 26 are covered withthe intermedi-- ate leaf 13b. After the pencil 21 is placed in the hole 22, the upper lid 13a is closed and the fastening band 20 is thrown about the packaging unit 10 to keep it closed. Accordingly, the packaging unit 10 appears like a book and can be placed on a book shelf in storage, and also carried by itself. Should the packaging unit 10 be subject to any external stress in transit, the calculator 11 received therein will be fully protected from any harmful effect by the shock-absorbing action of the packaging unit 10 as a whole and the similaraction of the projections 29 and 30.

Where the packagingunit 10 is ,opened to use the calculator 11 or for any other purpose, the fastening band 20 is first taken off as shown in FIG. 1. The top leaf or lid 13a is turned over to make-the pencil 21' ready to be taken out and expose the upper surface of the calculator 11. Since, at this time, the calculator 11 is still placed deep in the holes 15, it can not be removed. When the intermediate leaves 13b and 130 are turned over, substantially half the body of the calculator 11 comes out and the charger 25 and cord 26are exposed ready to be removed. Where, under this condition, the packaging unit 10 is set, for example, on a desk together with the calculator, then the packaging unit 10 will serve as a firm rest for the calculator, making it possible to use the calculator 11 without taking the whole of it out of the hole 15. At this time, the explanatory notes 33 given onithe upper surface of the intermediate leaf 13d are brought to view, enabling arithmetic operation to be effected. by reference thereto. Where the intermediate leaves 13d and 13;: are

. turned over, the terminal section (not shown) of the calculator 11 is exposed to permit charging therethrough. Obviously, the calculator l1, charger 25 and cord 26 can be easily lifted from the packaging unit 10.

In the foregoing embodiment the holes 15, 22, 24, 27 and 28 were so shaped as to receive the calculator 1], pencil 21, eraser 23, charger 25 and cord 26 respectively. Of course, the leaves of the packaging unit 10 may be bored withvarious forms of holes depending on the type, shape and number of articles beingreceived in the packaging unit 10. Where a number of electronic tubes or lamps readily affected by shocks or vibrations are to be transported repeatedly, the packaging unit 10 of this invention can be used as a service box of transport of these articles by having the leaves bored with many holes for their reception.-

What we claim is:

l. A packaging unit for wrapping an article compris mg: v I

a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves; said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges; the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore for receiving said article;

the inner wall portion of each leaf defining said apertures being provided with inwardly extending projections spaced from each other for protecting said article from external shocks; and

the outer wall portion of each leaf being notched so as to form outwardly extending projections spaced from each other for additionally protecting said article from external shocks.

2. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outwardly extending projections of a given pair of leaves are vertically displaced from those of an adjacent pair of leaves.

3. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said outwardly extending projections of at least one of said leaves has indexing means disposed upon the upper surface thereof.

4. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said intermediate leaves is perforated with a second vertically penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to said article.

5. A packaging unit for wrapping an article comprismg:

a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves;

said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges;

the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore for receiving said article; and

the inner wall portion of each intermediate leaf defining said aperture being provided with inwardly extending projections laterally spaced from each other for protecting said article from external shocks, only the inner edges of said projections contacting said article.

6. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the top and bottom leaves of the folded packaging unit serve as lids to close the upper and lower openings of the deep bore collectively defined by said first vertically penetrating holes.

7. The packaging unit according to claim 6 wherein the packaging unit is further provided with a cover extending over a group of folded edges disposed on one side of the packaging unit and fixed to said top and bottom leaves, thereby wrapping the whole packaging unit in the form of a book.

8. The packaging unit according to claim 7 wherein the packaging unit further has a detachable fastening band wound about the packaging unit to keep it closed.

9. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the intermediate leaves is perforated with a second vertically penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to the article.

10. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein information on the article is given on the upper surface of at least one of the intermediate leaves.

1 l. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the plate member consists of a corrugated paper board.

12. The packaging unit according to claim 11 wherein notches are cut out alternately in the upper and lower walls of the corrugated paper board to leave uncut portions on the respective opposite walls, and the corrugated paper board is folded at the notches in the opposite directions.

13. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the plate member has an elongate rectangular form with the folded edges disposed at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the plate member.

14. A packaging unit for wrapping an article comprising:

an article adapted to be disposed within said packaging unit;

a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves;

said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges;

the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore receiving said article; and

each of said intermediate leaves having at least one outwardly extending projection formed upon the outer edges of said leaf which are not interconnected with other ones of said intermediate leaves along said folded edges,

whereby said projections disposed upon said leaves protect said article from external shocks.

15. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one of said outwardly extending projections of at least one of said leaves has indexing means disposed upon the upper surface thereof.

16. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one of said intermediate leaves is perforated with a second penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to said article.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 3,927,767

DATED 1 December 23, 1975 INVENTOR(S) I Masatoshi Sato et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 1, 1972 Japan 54522/72 June 1, 1972 Japan 64578/72 Signed and Scaled this twenty-second D1) Of J 197 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON ommissiuner oj'larenrs and Trademarks 

1. A packaging unit for wrapping an article comprising: a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves; said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges; the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore for receiving said article; the inner wall portion of each leaf defining said apertures being provided with inwardly extending projections spaced from each other for protecting said article from external shocks; and the outer wall portion of each leaf being notched so as to form outwardly extending projections spaced from each other for additionally protecting said article from external shocks.
 2. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outwardly extending projections of a given pair of leaves are vertically displaced from those of an adjacent pair of leaves.
 3. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 whereIn at least one of said outwardly extending projections of at least one of said leaves has indexing means disposed upon the upper surface thereof.
 4. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said intermediate leaves is perforated with a second vertically penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to said article.
 5. A packaging unit for wrapping an article comprising: a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves; said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges; the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore for receiving said article; and the inner wall portion of each intermediate leaf defining said aperture being provided with inwardly extending projections laterally spaced from each other for protecting said article from external shocks, only the inner edges of said projections contacting said article.
 6. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the top and bottom leaves of the folded packaging unit serve as lids to close the upper and lower openings of the deep bore collectively defined by said first vertically penetrating holes.
 7. The packaging unit according to claim 6 wherein the packaging unit is further provided with a cover extending over a group of folded edges disposed on one side of the packaging unit and fixed to said top and bottom leaves, thereby wrapping the whole packaging unit in the form of a book.
 8. The packaging unit according to claim 7 wherein the packaging unit further has a detachable fastening band wound about the packaging unit to keep it closed.
 9. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the intermediate leaves is perforated with a second vertically penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to the article.
 10. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein information on the article is given on the upper surface of at least one of the intermediate leaves.
 11. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the plate member consists of a corrugated paper board.
 12. The packaging unit according to claim 11 wherein notches are cut out alternately in the upper and lower walls of the corrugated paper board to leave uncut portions on the respective opposite walls, and the corrugated paper board is folded at the notches in the opposite directions.
 13. The packaging unit according to claim 5 wherein the plate member has an elongate rectangular form with the folded edges disposed at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the plate member.
 14. A packaging unit for wrapping an article comprising: an article adapted to be disposed within said packaging unit; a single plate folded in zigzag fashion so as to form a plurality of superposed leaves; said leaves being connected with each other along said folded edges; the intermediate leaves being perforated with first vertically penetrating apertures so as to collectively form a single continuous bore receiving said article; and each of said intermediate leaves having at least one outwardly extending projection formed upon the outer edges of said leaf which are not interconnected with other ones of said intermediate leaves along said folded edges, whereby said projections disposed upon said leaves protect said article from external shocks.
 15. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one of said outwardly extending projections of at least one of said leaves has indexing means disposed upon the upper surface thereof.
 16. A packaging unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one of said intermediate leaves is perforated with a second penetrating hole for receiving an attachment to said article. 